Villanova Wildcats football
| Villanova Wildcats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| First season | 1894, 123 years ago | ||
| Head coach |
Andy Talley 32nd year, 230–136–1 (.628) |
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| Stadium | Villanova Stadium | ||
| Year built | 1927, 90 years ago | ||
| Seating capacity | 12,000 | ||
| Field surface | AstroPlay | ||
| Location | Villanova, Pennsylvania | ||
| NCAA division | Division I FCS | ||
| Conference | Colonial Athletic Association | ||
| Past conferences |
Atlantic 10 (1997-2005) Yankee (1987-1996) |
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| All-time record | 583–460–39 (.557) | ||
| Bowl record | 2–2–1 (.500) | ||
| Claimed nat'l titles | 1 | ||
| Conference titles | 6 | ||
| Colors | Navy Blue and White |
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| Fight song | "V for Villanova" | ||
| Mascot | Will D. Cat | ||
| NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances | 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2002, 1997, 1996, 1992, 1991, 1989 | ||
| Rivals | Delaware, Temple, Penn | ||
| Website | Villanova.com | ||
The Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, known as Division I-AA until 2006).
The Wildcats currently compete in the Colonial Athletic Association for football only. They play on campus at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,000, with some games at PPL Park in Chester with capacity of 18,000. Andy Talley has been head coach of the program since it was reinstated in 1985 and led the program to its first NCAA Division I FCS national championship in 2009.
The Wildcats football team played their first game 123 years ago in November 1894 coached by Mike Murphy. They continued to play as an independent team for 87 seasons, participating in several Bowl Games and sending numerous players into professional football, including Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long, a second round selection in the 1981 NFL draft.
On April 14, 1981, the program was officially disbanded due to weak attendance and monetary reasons cited by the university board of directors. Athletic Director Ted Aceto had stated they had sold only 750 season tickets for the 1980 season with 95 scholarship players; the Wildcats' 1980 season record was 6–5.
Under heavy pressure from alumni and students, the program was reinstated by the Board of Trustees in April 1984 and sponsored a sold out Blue-White intrasquad game for Homecoming that November. Led by current head coach Andy Talley, they began playing a couple of regulation NCAA games in September 1985. The reborn program had instant success, beginning with an undefeated five-game schedule against Division III competition, and beating the Navy junior varsity. The program moved up to Division I-AA (now FCS) and joined the Yankee Conference in 1987, beginning official competition in 1988.
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